The UN Security Council on Friday imposed sanctions against two Democratic Republic of Congo rebel leaders accused of killing children and others who tried to flee their force.

The council said it had ordered a global travel ban and assets freeze against Baudoin Ngaruye and Innocent Kaina, both top military leaders of the M23 movement which has seized territory in eastern DR Congo.

The council and the United States have already ordered similar sanctions against Sultani Makenga, military chief of M23, which is said to get backing from neighboring Rwanda.

Ngaruye, who is considered a deputy to Makenga, “is responsible for executions and torture of deserters within the M23,” said a sanctions committee statement.

Innocent Kaina “oversaw the recruitment and training of over 150 children for the M23 rebellion, shooting the boys who had tried to escape,” the statement added.

The Security Council “took a strong step today by sanctioning Baudoin Ngaruye and Innocent Kaina,” commented US ambassador Susan Rice. “We condemn the actions of the M23 and those who support them.”

The M23 rebellion erupted in DR Congo’s mineral-rich North Kivu province in April. This month the rebels launched a major offensive against government forces and took the key city of Goma, which they still hold despite a ceasefire agreement under which they are supposed to withdraw.